Nov. 17, 2013
DISTRACTIONS, AND THE PATH TO ETERNITY!!!
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Distractions: that which distracts, divides the attention, or prevents concentration
Golf immortal Arnold Palmer recalls a lesson about staying focus: It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament, and I had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. I felt I was in pretty good shape. As I approached my ball, I saw an old friend standing at the edge of the gallery. He motioned me over, stuck out his hand and said, “Congratulations.” I took his hand and shook it, but as soon as I did, I knew I had lost my focus. On my next two shots, I hit the ball into a sand trap, then put it over the edge of the green. I missed a putt and lost the Masters. You don’t forget a mistake like that; you just learn from it and become determined that you will never do that again. I haven’t in the 30 years since.
My friends as a Child of God living in the 21st century it is a real spiritual challenge focusing on VICTORY. As we look at the chaos and confusing of the world we live in there should be no doubt in one’s mind that we are in the final stretch of our race to the finish line.
So each of us through God’s word and Spirit should have only one focal point and that is finishing the course and receiving the gold. Nothing else should have a component into receiving our crown and victory reward from our Savior.
That is why we should never let the things of this world divide our attention or cause us to loose concentration on our goal, which is God’s pure and holy kingdom. One hand shake, and the words, Congratulations, from a friend Caused Arnold Palmer to loose focus and loose the Masters in 1961.
My friends what will our distractions be each day to keep us from searching the scriptures as we seek the anointing of 
God’s Spirit which will sustain the power from within to carry us across the finish line as we begin to focus upon our Goal which is Salvation.
As A Christian our Focus should be Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. Nothing else should define This Race or journey that each of us are on to the finish line. Paul tells us in Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
also he says in Colossians 2:6 -8 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
When we as Christians remain Focused we then surrender our all to the Master, and once that happens it all becomes about trusting and having faith in a God that has done it all for our Salvation. So By given our all to God, it takes the focal Point off of self, and what we may want, and places it upon the blood of Jesus Christ.
And to Totally Surrender it all to the Master is not the most outstanding way to live, it is the only way to live, If we want to make heaven our home. Because nothing else matters as a Christians. Because all other pathways will lead to defeat and in the end, and then destruction.
Hebrews 12:2 says “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured 
the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” My friends Christ never distracted from his Goal which was the cross.
Satan failed in every way possible in drawing Christ attention from “His father who art in Heaven” to the things of this world. But Christ forever prayed without ceasing, while allowing His knowledge of the scriptures to defeat the enemy in every situation and Circumstances.
And because he stayed focus and undistracted he finish the course that will allow us to finish, and sit at the banquet table of the redeemed one day soon. “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” 1Peter 2:21
So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY
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